“The surcharges will start then, which will be a surprise to some people,” he said. “We need to re-educate residents about the change.”

By eliminating Stage 1, the city has bumped up the current Stages 2, 3 and 4, thus making Stage 2 the new Stage 1.

Council members also approved changes to the water levels that trigger Stages 1, 2 and 3. The 1,040-foot level previously triggering Stage 1 has been raised to 1,045 feet. The Stage 2 trigger kicks in at 1,010 instead of 1,030 and Stage 3 will now reach the trigger level at 975 feet rather than the 1,015-foot level.

“When we hit 1,040, we continue to drop very rapidly, stressing our wells,” Emmons said. “The new levels are reflective of our experience.”

“We need to update our plan as we grow,” Emmons said. “As we watch the water usage, we're able to understand how the Trinity Glen Rose Water District is responding.”

The water conservation plan approved by the council March 21 is projected to reduce the historical water use of Fair Oaks Ranch residents to 160 gallons per capita per a day, although that goal isn't expected to be realized until mid-century. Residents are currently using 205 gallons per capita per day, according to Emmons.

“We're going the wrong way,” he said about the present-day water usage. “Our staff will try to do a better job with water education.”

Emmons recommended the continuation of once a week watering.

“We have been praised by other systems for this,” he said. “We are setting a high bar.”

Although few changes were made to the plan, the council struck out two proposed regulations relating to soaker hoses and drip irrigation.

Mayor Cheryl Landman asked that the measures be removed, calling them an additional burden for the police department.

Schmidt also had an issue with the once a week watering plan, stating that the practice might not always be a good thing, causing some residents to over water.

City Administrator John Hobson told the council the enforcement of such measures are often “taken with a grain of salt” with a look at the particular situation. He added that a resident can apply for a variance if more than once a week of watering is needed.

In other actions, the council approved subdivision plat, Unit 12, near Battle Intense in Comal County. Before the vote was taken, two residents voiced concerns about safety.

“We all identify with this situation,” said Landman, a former homeowners' association representative to the council. “I think we'll get pretty close to satisfying.”

Hobson added that the city has worked with the developer, who is putting up a creek fence as well as adding an additional five feet to the standard 10-foot easement.

“An additional 5 feet is pretty cool,” resident Michael Curtis said. “But that's creating an additional hazard of people getting struck by vehicles. I would like to see a bicycle path. That would satisfy the safety issue.”

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Meanwhile, resident Peter Yancich asked the city for a stop sign to slow down the traffic.

The council declared the unopposed candidates for Places 3, 4 and 5 – Aldermen Mark Anderson, Al Schmidt and Conrad Fothergill — re-elected and cancelled the city's May 11 general election.